UK: The Signet Collection has announced the opening of The Retreat Elcot Park in West Berkshire next year, following the recent opening of The Mitre Hampton Court in London.
The Retreat will be housed a Grade II-listed, eighteenth century building offering 55 bedrooms. It was once the childhood home of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and is situated close to Downtown Abbey Highclere Castle and Blenheim Palace.
It will open in spring 2022 with two restaurants – an all-day dining venue and pan-Asian restaurant – as well as a whisky tasting room. Honesty pantries location each floor is available for guests. Ronnie Kimbugwe will oversee all food and beverage operations.
Other facilities include tennis courts, an outdoor infinity pool, croquet lawn, children’s zone, a health club with spa and gym, and several meeting rooms. A mixed-use retail space will consist of a bakery, coffee house, hair salon and wine store.
Hector Ross, managing partner at The Signet Collection, said: “We are delighted to announce the second hotel from The Signet Collection coming next spring. As with The Mitre Hampton Court, we look forward to unveiling a property which will be enjoyed in the context of its historical significance, both preserving and restoring authenticity coupled with offering a vast array of activities on site to keep our guests entertained. With a focus on creating memorable experiences, informality of design, exquisite food and service, we believe The Retreat will be a much-loved addition to the area, involving both the local community and travellers from afar.”
OakNorth Bank provided a £9.4 million loan to Signet to acquire and refurbish the site.
Deepesh Thakrar, senior director of debt finance at OakNorth, said: “Due to our expertise across both property development and SME trading deals, we were able to create a bespoke facility that will allow The Signet Collection to acquire the hotel and refurbish it all under one facility. Continued limitations to international travel have resulted in a sustained demand for staycations, with 83 per cent of Brits now preferring to holiday in the UK – a trend that Signet Collection is primed to take advantage of with their hugely popular Mitre Hotel at Hampton Court and this new addition. It’s resourceful, vastly experienced and creative entrepreneurs like Hector and team that will help drive the recovery of the UK’s hospitality sector and we’re proud to be once again supporting them.”
The Signet Collection launched in September 2020 alongside the first hotel in the portfolio, The Mitre Hampton Court.
